“How do you make a man do something without nagging? That is the billion-dollar question,” Liane Moriarty wrote in her novel The Hypnotist’s Love Story. Writing, directing and starring in your own movie might help. Which Heather Graham wrote did for the romantic comedy Half Magic. Graham worked her magic on ABC, which will adapt Moriarty’s book into a series, according to Variety.
ABC bought the adaptation as a put pilot. The series is being produced by ABC Studios and David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Laurie Zaks of Mandeville Television. Graham will star, and executive produce the series along with Katie Wech (Star), who will write the series.
Graham will play Ellen O’Farrell, a “professional hypnotherapist who works out of the eccentric beachfront home she inherited from her grandparents,” according to the book’s official synopsis. “It’s a nice life, except for her tumultuous relationship history. She’s stoic about it, but at this point, Ellen wouldn’t mind a lasting one. When she meets Patrick, she’s optimistic. He’s attractive, single, employed, and best of all, he seems to like her back. Then comes that dreaded moment: He thinks they should have a talk. It turns out that Patrick’s ex-girlfriend is stalking him. Ellen thinks, Actually, that’s kind of interesting. She’s dating someone worth stalking. She’s intrigued by the woman’s motives. In fact, she’d even love to meet her.”
Graham has come a long way since License To Drive, her debut film in 1988. Graham is best known for her roles the films Drugstore Cowboy, Boogie Nights, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The Hangover and Bowfinger. She appeared on the TV series Get Shorty, Twin Peaks, Scrubs, Californication, Law & Order: True Crime, Angie Tribeca and Flaked. Graham was also one of the women to speak out against Harvey Weinstein.
Moriarty wrote the best-selling novels The Husband’s Secret, Truly Madly Guilty and Big Little Lies, which was turned into an Emmy-winning series starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman for HBO.
There is no word yet on when The Hypnotist’s Love Story will premiere.